The Cincinnati Bengals have apparently chosen to keep their No. 1 quarterback in that spot for the near future.

ESPN first reported Monday morning that Andy Dalton, 26, and the team had reached agreement on a six-year contract worth $115 million, about $19 million of that in incentives tied to post-season success.

"We found a good meeting ground and that's why this thing got done," Dalton said. "You do have it in the back of you mind. Now we don't have to worry about and we get to just get to play the game."

Bengals owner Mike Brown said he wanted to make the deal official before the start of the season.

"It is important to solidify our franchise going forward and he has earned his place here. He hass gained the confidence of the players and coaches and the management of the team," Brown said.

“It’s stating the obvious that this is a key move for the ongoing success of our team,” said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis in a released statement. “I congratulate our front office, and Andy and his representatives, for coming together to make this happen in a constructive way for the football team. Andy is still a young player, he has led us to the playoffs three straight years, and by far we have not seen the best of him yet.”

Dalton has not missed a start in his Bengals career, and his 30-18 regular-season record gives him the best winning percentage (.625) of any Bengals QB with 10 or more starts, the team said.

ProFootballTalk.com breaks down the contract here, noting that the contract has about $96 million in pay plus several clauses for additional money if the Bengals win playoff games and at least make it into later rounds and the Super Bowl.

The contract is valid through the 2020 season, when Dalton will be 33 years old.